By Al Quartemont, Special to the Message
[img_assist|nid=7325|title=LC Spring Commencement|desc=LC senior Kameryn Lueng sings His Eye is on the Sparrow at the school’s Spring commencement on May 14.|link=none|align=left|width=100|height=66]PINEVILLE – The vision that Louisiana College President Joe Aguillard repeatedly expresses is one that sees the college’s graduates impacting the world for Jesus Christ.
On Saturday, May 14, LC sent 175 new graduates out to do just that. The 150th commencement ceremony saw 152 undergraduates, plus 23 with a Master of Arts in Teaching, receive their degrees.
The embracing of that vision was perhaps best summed up by Senior Justin Baily in his invocation prayer.
“After the last word is spoken, and we walk through those doors, give us the desire to fulfill the mission of Louisiana College,” Baily said. “To change the world for Your glory empowered by the Holy Spirit through Christ.”
LC’s commencement ceremony featured a number of significant spiritual moments, not the least of which was a stirring acapella performance of senior Kameryn Lueng singing, “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”
[img_assist|nid=7327|title=Celebrating Graduation|desc=LC senior cheerleaders Marie Champagne and Cliff Magee celebrate their graduation|link=none|align=right|width=427|height=640]The commencement address was given by Louisiana Family Forum President, Gene Mills, who encouraged the graduates to “sell out to the plan of God.”
“This is a good day. This is a good moment. This is a good season,” Mills said. “Today marks a highlight in your young life. Drink deeply of this moment because there will be other moments that follow, and they may define the direction that you’re challenged and steered to travel. …
“You’ve been prepared, you’ve been trained, skills have been administered, prayers have been prayed to prepare you for this moment, where you look out on the horizon, and your vision becomes clear of what it is that God has uniquely equipped and instructed you to do,” Mills continued.
The graduating seniors of Louisiana College came from 13 different states and one foreign nation. But, as Senior Terry Iles closed the ceremony with a prayer of benediction, the mission of LC was once again clearly stated.
“I pray that as we walk out of this room as Louisiana College graduates, that You would make us wise,” Iles said. “Lord, may we trust in You with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. May we honor You in all our ways.”
Honors
LC hosted its 50th Honors Convocation on Thursday, April 28, in Guinn Auditorium. In additional to honor students (GPA of 3.7 or above) being recognized, each department handed out various awards to their highest achieving students, including many scholarship awards.
In addition to the numerous student awards, two professors were awarded Chairs: Kimberly Sharp Ph.D., was awarded the Coughlin-Saunders Chair in Nursing and Cheryl Clark was awarded the Olive Ann Rau Chair in English.
Also awarded were several Professorships in the following areas:
Gilbert Jones Ph.D., BellSouth Professorship (Liberal Arts); Henry Robertson Ph.D., Richard L. Crowell Professorship (Pre-law); Argile Smith Ph.D., Lyndon E. Dawson Professorship (Religion); Ms. Sheri Duffy, Erroll Dawson, Jr. Distinguished Professorship (Social Work); Michael Shepherd Ph.D., John & Allie Fogleman Professorship (Religion); Arthur Mazhambe DBA, W. Ray Frye Professorship (Business); Keith Callis Ph.D., J.E. Hixson, Sr. Professorship (English); Mr. David Culp, Hubert & Madolene Reding Professorship (Business); Steve Cowan Ph.D., Jim Young Professorship (Religion); David Simmons Ph.D., Carolyn Adams Dawson Professorship (Mathematics).
Additionally, Wade Warren Ph.D. was named as “2010-2011 Professor of the Year”, an honor that is voted on by the student body. Warren is Holder of the C.J. Cavanaugh Chair in Biology, Biology Department Coordinator, Professor of Biology and Assistant Dean.